Robert Ralph Albee

ALBEE, Robert Ralph

SALUTE TO A GREAT MAN

Robert Ralph Albee, known as "Pop," "Bob," "Uncle Bob," and "Sweet Grandpa," died October 1, 2011, of natural causes at his home in El Cajon. He passed away peacefully in his sleep, ready to return to our beloved Mom.

Bob was born in Ventura, California, on December 21, 1925, to Edgar and Edna Albee. He spent his childhood there with older brothers Leland and Dale and graduated from Ventura High School. He immediately enlisted in the Navy and served in WWII as a corpsman attached to the 6th Marine Division. He returned to marry his childhood sweetheart Janet Claire Allen in 1946. Jan and Bob spent their first year in Denver, while he attended the University of Denver, then moved back to California to begin raising a family. He served his country again in 1950-51 during the Korean conflict. In 1954 they established a home in Whittier, close to grandparents and cousins, and the family grew to include four sons. Their girls arrived later in the form of very special daughters-in-law.

Bob distinguished himself during a lifelong career with Southern California Edison Company. Like his father-in-law, Dick Allen, he was dedicated to the Company and took great pride in his work. He retired at a young age and continued to work as a consultant with SCE until 1992.

For more than 20 years he guided his sons through Boy Scouts, giving generously of his time and energy to the organization. Most of the young men in Troop 898 thought Mr. Albee was a full-time scoutmaster and were surprised to find he had a "real" job. After his years as Cubmaster and Scoutmaster, Bob volunteered on the Eagle Scout Board of Review. In 1964 the Albees were honored as Scouting Family of the Year in the Pioneer District. With son Richard, he was featured in a Whittier Daily News promotional photo with gubernatorial candidate Ronald Reagan. Who knew?

The family had many special friends who shared a love of waterskiing, campfires, hunting and fishing on the Colorado River when the area was fairly primitive and natural. Those are treasured memories.

Following Janet's death in 2004 Bob moved to El Cajon and enjoyed being near many of his beloved grand and great grandchildren.

He is survived by his brother Leland of Ventura; his sons Robert A. (Mary Ann) Albee of Missoula, Montana, Grant B. (Judy) Albee of Whittier, Richard K. (Kris) Albee of El Cajon and David J. (Jennette) Albee of Newhall. Grandpa will also be missed by Amy (Aaron) Scott, Nicole (Steve) Pinch, Kenney (Catherine) Albee, Angela (Stephen) Brown; Christopher (Keren) Albee, Lauren Albee, Sarah Albee; Jayson (Iveta) Albee, Bryan (Andrea) Albee, Kevin (Mindy) Albee; Hayden Bixby, Ryan (Linette) Bixby, Parker (Jessi) Bixby, Jennifer Coward, Geoffrey (Michelle) Conti; David J. Albee, Robert S. Albee, Jerome (Karen) Albee, Kristen Albee (Tom Waddell), Elizabeth Albee, Kari (Jerry) Deegan; and 25 great-grandchildren. Loved ones also include his nieces and nephews Janet (John) Goggins, Jeff (Donna) Schimmer, Jim Schimmer. Carol (John) Muirhead, Diane (Cliff) Cawood, Hilda D'Amico and their families; and his extended Albee family with roots in Portland Prairie, Minnesota.

Friends are invited to join the family at a reception to celebrate Bob's life on Saturday, October 15, 11:00 a.m., at the LDS Church Fellowship Hall located at 8906 Pickering Avenue in Whittier.

Memorials can be directed to the Boy Scouts of America, San Gabriel Valley Council, 3450 E. Sierra Madre Blvd., Pasadena CA 91107 or to a charity of choice.